I think I'll be asking for a class with Don Weber (much closer) for my birthday. We'll see if the better half goes for it. She just told me if I spend her birthday (Thursday) at my buddy's house (we usually meet on Thursdays) carving, I'd come home to an empty house!

bulldawg_65 wrote:... My buddy Bob and I are both wishing we lived in the UK right now.

You might think again after you'd seen the prices here, the cost of housing (with no tax relief on mortgage interest), tax & national insurance rates and discovered the joys of VAT (think sales tax of 20% - with no break for out-of-state mail order purchases) and of course the weather. However, the always troubled but relatively hassle-free National Health Service is a national treasure, despite what some say in the USA, and of course there is munificent British benefits system (which, along with the banks, is currently bankrupting us), more vacation days (less the Germany & india though ), and the beautiful British countryside.

I've only met one American that came to the UK to live forever more. Most Americans I've met love America too much to live anywhere else. Get the best of both worlds and visit Britain - maybe take a course here, a hobby/pursuit can be a great way to experience another country (I used to climb and that was a great way to see other countries).

America has a thriving craft-scene too. I'd quite to visit and do one for Drew's courses in beautiful N. Carolina - love that barn workshop [see: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2271&start=15 for more on that]. I was impressed by the amount, quality and variety of art and crafts going on around Washington state/Seattle area too (lots of forests too - although some pretty heavy-weight forestry practices in places too - think Mordor ).

bulldawg_65 wrote:... My buddy Bob and I are both wishing we lived in the UK right now.

You might think again after you'd seen the prices here, the cost of housing (with no tax relief on mortgage interest), tax & national insurance rates and discovered the joys of VAT (think sales tax of 20% - with no break for out-of-state mail order purchases) and of course the weather. However, the always troubled but relatively hassle-free National Health Service is a national treasure, despite what some say in the USA, and of course there is munificent British benefits system (which, along with the banks, is currently bankrupting us), more vacation days (less the Germany & india though ), and the beautiful British countryside.

I've only met one American that came to the UK to live forever more. Most Americans I've met love America too much to live anywhere else. Get the best of both worlds and visit Britain - maybe take a course here, a hobby/pursuit can be a great way to experience another country (I used to climb and that was a great way to see other countries).

America has a thriving craft-scene too. I'd quite to visit and do one for Drew's courses in beautiful N. Carolina - love that barn workshop [see: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2271&start=15 for more on that]. I was impressed by the amount, quality and variety of art and crafts going on around Washington state/Seattle area too (lots of forests too - although some pretty heavy-weight forestry practices in places too - think Mordor ).

bulldawg_65 wrote:... My buddy Bob and I are both wishing we lived in the UK right now.

You might think again after you'd seen the prices here, the cost of housing (with no tax relief on mortgage interest), tax & national insurance rates and discovered the joys of VAT (think sales tax of 20% - with no break for out-of-state mail order purchases) and of course the weather. However, the always troubled but relatively hassle-free National Health Service is a national treasure, despite what some say in the USA, and of course there is munificent British benefits system (which, along with the banks, is currently bankrupting us), more vacation days (less the Germany & india though ), and the beautiful British countryside.

I've only met one American that came to the UK to live forever more. Most Americans I've met love America too much to live anywhere else. Get the best of both worlds and visit Britain - maybe take a course here, a hobby/pursuit can be a great way to experience another country (I used to climb and that was a great way to see other countries).

America has a thriving craft-scene too. I'd quite to visit and do one for Drew's courses in beautiful N. Carolina - love that barn workshop [see: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2271&start=15 for more on that]. I was impressed by the amount, quality and variety of art and crafts going on around Washington state/Seattle area too (lots of forests too - although some pretty heavy-weight forestry practices in places too - think Mordor ).

Aren't there any moderators on this site?

Do please share with us TrevBushell what you find offensive here that makes you ask about moderators. I am not one.

Funny, I didn't find anything offensive here either. I'm aware of the value added tax in Britain, and for that matter the rest of Europe as well. I can't speak for my buddy Bob, but I've lived in France, Germany and Italy, and to tell you the truth my wife and I are seriously considering retiring in France. (I have lots of family there). I do have quite a few ex-pat friends as well who are very happy living abroad and do not want to return to the US. I guess it comes down to what is most important to a person.

You never know though someone really appreciative of the tax reduction for earnings over £150,000 or who doesn't mind their frozen tax allowance if they are over 65 or even the fact that their pension is now uplifted by CPI instead of RPI might like to post. Just their opinion.Bit off topic for a greenwood site though but if it encourages a few more greenwood workers to come over, even for a visit, then so be it.

Maybe we should avoid aardvarks though. Use the site search to figure that one out.

Must hide the hose away now, oops, not a problem, I'm in Scotland.Now that's a place to live and plenty of woodlands.